Effectively used art helps sell houses! It creates a mood, tells the buyer where to look, and can contribute to a more up-to-date impression of the home. Removing artwork that is highly personal in both content and taste creates broader market appeal and makes buyers feel more at home! Exactly what you want . . . and need . . . in order to sell a property.

We've previously discussed the value of having good artwork where lots of you weighed in with your insightful comments and experience.  Next, we had a good laugh over "art" that just has to go from a home before putting it on the market. Now, we move on to what the most effective types of artwork are to help sell those houses.

Themes

The goal when preparing and/or staging a property for sale is, of course, to have the home appeal to as many people in its target market as possible. Generally, this is done by creating an up-to-date, contemporary look. Think big box, mass market stores. The "look" they sell, is the look that sells. (Not to say that everything they sell is a "good" option . . .)

Good themes to stick with are landscapes, travel photography, natural objects and elements, contemporary florals, classic art prints (such as Van Gogh), and abstracts. Okay, maybe not the stuff of collectors, but we're going away from specific tastes to broad. (This is why it can make sense to rent these from a stager . . . you don't have to like it for the long-term.)

Also take into account the style of the home (somewhat), and who the target buyer is. If the property is most likely to attract a young, professional couple, use artwork that "speaks" to their generation. Remember, the average home seller is typically 20 years older than the average home buyer! You need clean, simple, uncluttered looking art.

Let's get specific:

Landscape/Architectural Photography

Especially in black and white or sepia . . . that's hot. Use an oversized matte . . . and now we're talking! It's neutral (both in taste and color), contemporary, and doesn't draw attention to itself. Perfect.

Abstract Color

I love canvasses that are just a fun interplay of colors and paint. It complements the decor, can add a bit of interest in movement and pattern, as well as some accent color to your neutral walls and furniture (you have neutral walls and furniture . . . right?). You can even paint your own! Buy a set of four 12" square canvasses, and paint each one a different color . . . use colors that are a similar level of warmth and brightness . . . and you've got a great wall display. Use vertically, horizontally, or in a square pattern. Use just 2, 3, or all 4. And yes, when hanging a vertical display, you can go low!

Frame Objects

Shadowboxes or simple, deeper frames are great for objects that you probably already have. I personally love old, vintagey stuff. An old ball or baseball cap for a boy's room; old ballet slippers for a girl's; old cutlery or tools, a few interesting stamps . . . get creative. How to? One per frame, with a black or neutral background. And leave lots of unused space. (Uncluttered applies to everything!)

Mirrors

There are tons of options for mirrors these days. Place them well, and they can bounce light into corners that desperately need it, or extend the eye past the boundaries of a smaller room. Be careful of what the mirror reflects, though! You don't want to see an unattractive aspect of the home staring a buyer in the face when they first enter, for example. But use this to your advantage . . . bring the outdoors in by placing the mirror to reflect more of the landscaping.

(Additional tip: use the right size of hook or screws and anchors for the mirror--they are heavy!).

Art Substitutes

There's still lots of options. You can frame pretty papers from a craft or stationery store . . . or even some great fabric (keep thinking contemporary patterns). Try stapling the fabric around a pre-made frame. Mix it up and use some metal "objet d'arts". Especially if there are otherwise lots of straight lines and boxes in the space already, this can add some organic curves and interest.

If you've got kind of a "dated" painting, put it in a simple, contemporary frame. Put a more ornate frame around something very simple. This creates a more "transitional" and updated style for those items.

Hopefully I've given you a few more ideas of what to use, and what not to use, as far as artwork goes in home selling. As always, I love to learn from others' experiences, too! Share some of your successes.